Between Heaven and Earth

by Michele Paige Holmes

  “Come on,” Cassie urged. “That was a great kick. Now follow through.” She hurried toward Austin, who was already commandeering the ball somewhat skillfully toward the goal.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” Cassie got in front of him and stuck her foot out, trying to get the ball. He tried to go around her, but she was too fast. She blocked him and nearly stole the ball. He took it back, kicking in a way that she suspected was meant to hurt her shins rather than move the ball. Good thing she was fast. Austin continued trying to get it past her, but she refused to let him.

  “Kick it to me,” Asher called behind him.

  Austin looked up. Cassie subtly followed his gaze to Noah, standing several feet away near the goal line.

  “Can’t get it past me,” she said and moved in closer for the steal. Austin hesitated a moment as they made eye contact.

  “Get it, Noah,” Austin yelled, kicking the ball sideways.

  Yes! Cassie felt like skipping down the field.

  “Oh no, you don’t,” she said with mock frustration and turned toward Noah, who was awkwardly scuttling toward the goal, with the ball protected between his legs. She allowed him to get really close before jumping around him, sticking her foot out every time he looked like he might kick it in.

  “Pass it to me,” Austin said from a few feet away. Noah glanced up, and Cassie held her breath to see what he would do. He hesitated a second, then kicked the ball Austin’s direction instead of trying to get it past her into the goal. Austin kicked, and the ball rolled between the cones.

  “Argh! You got one past me.” Cassie slapped her hands to her head as if she couldn’t believe it. Actually, she couldn’t. A quick glance at her watch showed her that they’d been playing only fifteen minutes. A quarter of an hour, and a small miracle already.

  Matt blew the whistle. “One point for the boys. Nice teamwork.” Asher jumped up and down with glee, though he’d had nothing to do with the goal. He ran to get the ball while Austin and Noah stared at one another for a long second.

  “Thanks,” Austin said.

  “Nice goal,” Noah said back.

  “You can kick the next one,” Austin offered.

  They continued to play another hour until the sun was setting and Cassie was genuinely tired. She let them beat her but felt a lot more tired than she did when just playing with Noah. It had also been a lot more fun. The kid needed a brother or at least some friends to hang out with, but until Devon got better or she moved, neither of those were going to happen.

  Matt and the boys picked up the remaining cones while Cassie collected the balls.

  “Thanks for this,” Matt said, taking the bag from her when everything was in it. They walked to her car together, the boys trailing behind. “This was a great idea. I owe you a lot more than the cost of Noah’s dental work.”

  “You don’t owe me anything for today. I’m glad it went so well.” She popped the trunk of her car open, and Matt set the cones and balls inside. Cassie turned to face the boys. “Noah, Austin, Asher. Great game. You guys were tough.”

  Three smiling, sweaty faces looked up at her, filling her with a sense of accomplishment and hope. “Do you think we could do this again next week?” She hadn’t asked Matt, but given that he’d just thanked her, she hoped it would be okay.

  “Yeah,” the boys chorused.

  “That would be great,” Matt said. “Same time, same place?”

  Cassie nodded, thinking that this could be good, really good, for Noah. She reached in the trunk to pull her car keys from the mesh bag and accidentally snagged the extra jersey from the bottom. As she untangled the loose thread from the keys, inspiration struck once more.

  “Hey, Austin?”

  “Yeah?” He looked up at her with what she could only describe as longing, and it inspired her to keep going with the spur-of-the-moment thought.

  “You’re a really great soccer player— when you’re not pushing people or throwing rocks,” she added as a reminder of her expectations.

  “Thanks.” He shifted his eyes down, and Cassie worried she’d used the wrong approach.

  “We had a player on our team break his arm before the season even started, so we’ve been down one player at every game. Makes it hard to keep the rotations even.” She met Matt’s gaze and saw only curiosity, so she continued. “We could really use a player like you, if you could play as part of a team like you did today. Would that interest you?”

  Austin said nothing for a minute then looked to his dad for direction.

  A good sign. Their relationship couldn’t be that broken if he sought his dad’s guidance so readily. Then again, he was only six.

  “What do you think of that idea, Noah?” Matt asked.

  Cassie felt the sting of self-recrimination. Noah was the one she should have asked first. He was the real reason for this excursion today.

  Noah shrugged, then looked directly at Austin. “Okay, if you’re not mean.”

  Leave it to kids to be direct. There were times, like this, when lacking the adult filter was really great.

  “Okay,” Austin agreed. “I won’t be.”

  “To Noah or anyone else,” Matt said. “On our team or the other teams.” He looked from Austin to Cassie. “Are you sure that would be all right?”

  “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be,” Cassie said. “This isn’t league play but community soccer we’re talking about— you know, low-key, parent-volunteer coaches and all.” She tossed the jersey to Austin.

  “Can I play, too?” Asher asked, his chin raised hopefully.

  Thinking quickly, Cassie reached into her bag once more and pulled out the cones and her stopwatch. “I’m sorry, Asher, but the rules do say that players had to be five by September first. However, I could really use an assistant coach, someone to help set out the cones and keep track of my stopwatch so I know when to rotate players in and out. Do you think you could do that?” She held the cones and watch out to him.

  His head bobbed as he reached for the offered treasures.

  “Now don’t lose those or we can’t have a game very easily. It will be your job to bring them each time.”

  Asher’s head still hadn’t stopped bobbing, and a smile stretched wide across his face.

  “That’s great then.” Cassie closed the trunk. “We’ll see you guys on Saturday.” She held her hand out to Noah. “Let’s go, kiddo.” Right about now, a half hour, just the two of them, sitting in a booth eating hot fudge sundaes sounded really great. Keeping these three boys in balance for over an hour had been more challenging than the regular soccer games with eight kids. Plus, she’d run a lot more. One double scoop with extra caramel coming up.

  “Can they come with us to get ice cream?”

  Noah’s question caught her off guard. Going out to ice cream, just the two of them, was his favorite thing. And just like that, he was inviting someone else to barge in on their special time?

  Cassie knew she was taking too long to answer. Being careful to look only at Noah, she finally said. “That’s up to Matt. He may not let his boys eat ice cream just before dinnertime.” Or for dinner, as she’d planned.

  “That works for us,” Matt said, dashing her hopes. “Dairy is one of the main food groups, right?”

  “Yay, yay, yay!” Asher jumped up and down, his little fists pumped in the air. “Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream!”

  “Great,” Cassie said, hoping she sounded more positive than she felt. “We’re going to Samantha’s. Meet you there.”

  “Would you like to come with us in the truck?” Matt offered.

  “Can we, Mom?” Noah asked, already tugging her that direction.

  “No thanks,” Cassie answered quickly this time. No way they were going anywhere in a car with another man, even if he did have kids with him. “Noah’s booster seat is in the back. We’ll just follow you.”

  “Actually.” Matt raised a hand to rub the back of his neck. “How about if we follow you? We’ve lived in Auburn a whole three wee
ks and haven’t been out to ice cream yet. I don’t know where Samantha’s is.”

  “Oh, of course.” Cassie felt the tiniest bit better. Maybe he wasn’t being too forward. Maybe he’d just wanted them to come along so he’d know where to go. She helped Noah into the backseat, then turned to give Matt a more genuine smile. “Three whole weeks without ice cream, huh? You probably need this more than I do.”

  She had no idea how much he needed this, how much the boys did, too, which was why Matt had decided to take Noah up on his invite even though Noah’s mom wasn’t onboard. Under normal circumstances, Matt would’ve taken the hint that her slow answer more than implied that, for whatever reason, she didn’t want him and the boys tagging along. But then, when was the last time they’d had anything close to normal circumstances? Too long.

  Until this afternoon which had felt blissfully ordinary.

  Though Jenna hadn’t been much for running around with the boys outside, Matt had almost imagined that it was her out on that field instead of Cassie Webb, and they were all back in Oregon at the park near their house. Asher was happy, not because he was trying to be for his dad, but because he was having fun. Austin had seemed close to his old self as well, to the funny, tenderhearted boy he used to be. For a few minutes, Matt had forgotten about all of it. He’d let his cares slip away, unnoticed, and just had fun with his boys. Then he’d jumped at the opportunity to extend that fun just a little longer. Soon enough they’d return to their apartment and another lonely night.

  “There it is.” Austin pointed from the back seat. “Sam-an-tha’s ice cream par— parl—”

  “Parlor,” Matt helped him read the last. “It’s an old-fashioned word and fancy way to say shop.” He pulled into the parking stall beside Cassie.

  “Can I get chocolate?” Asher asked.

  “You can get whatever you want,” Matt said. He didn’t particularly care if the boys spoiled their dinner. He didn’t know what he was going to fix for dinner anyway, so if they skipped the meal altogether tonight, so much the better for him.

  He put the truck in park and turned off the engine, then hopped out to help the boys. They were still getting used to the tall truck, and Asher had fallen more than a time or two. In retrospect, Matt realized he probably should have bought something smaller and more economical. At the time, he’d simply needed a car to replace the minivan, and he’d wanted something that would pull the trailer with their stuff from Oregon to California. The truck had seemed like the obvious answer.

  The boys clamored out, and Matt hurried ahead of them to hold the door open for Cassie and Noah.

  “Thanks,” she said, then ducked her head in obvious discomfort.

  Matt wished he knew what was bothering her. Everything had been fine at the ball field, but now she was definitely uncomfortable. Asher and Austin squeezed their way past to stand on either side of Noah. Matt was last through the door and felt his mood lift again at the smell of chocolate. Bright yellow walls, blue checkered tables, and a mural of the Sierra welcomed them. On the far side of an arched divider, the other half of the shop boasted glass cases full of chocolates and other candy.

  Another point for Cassie Webb. Another thing he owed her for. He would be bringing the boys here often. The first bright spot in Auburn.

  The boys crowded around the counter, trying to decide what they each wanted.

  “Can I get a sundae with mint chocolate chip?” Noah asked.

  “Of course.” Cassie’s look turned tender. “A great soccer player like yourself needs extra whipped cream, too.”

  He flashed the toothless smile that Matt still felt terrible about. At least lacking front teeth shouldn’t keep him from being able to enjoy ice cream.

  Cassie ordered for Noah and herself while Matt tried to help the boys decide.

  “Just the two of you, or is this altogether?” the girl behind the counter asked.

  “Just the two of us,” Cassie said.

  “Altogether.” Matt reached over her arm and handed his Visa to the clerk. He glanced at Cassie and wasn’t surprised at her pursed lips and general look of dismay. “I owe you for today.” For a lot more than that if her soccer team worked out for Austin.

  “Thanks.” Still looking uncomfortable, arms folded across her chest, she stepped aside while he ordered for the boys. Noah’s sundae came first, and Matt handed it to him. Asher’s and Austin’s came next, then Cassie’s salted caramel.

  “Aren’t you getting anything?” she asked as she took it from him.

  “Yeah. I’m just a bit overwhelmed. I mean, eight flavors of whipped cream— wow.”

  “You know us Californians,” she said. “Over the top with everything.”

  “I guess so.” He returned the brief smile she’d given him and felt glad that she didn’t seem too upset that he’d tagged along and paid. “I think I’ll try a Nutella crepe.”

  Cassie followed the boys to the table, leaving him to casually observe them from across the room while he waited for his order. She sat next to Noah but quickly engaged all three boys in conversation. He watched and found himself mesmerized as she blew on her metal spoon then carefully balanced it on her nose, a feat which impressed his boys at least. Noah had apparently seen this trick before and was busy attempting to balance his own spoon. He nearly had success until it fell abruptly and hit the table and his sundae just right so that a blob of whipped cream vaulted onto his chin. They all laughed, Asher bursting into a full fit of giggles. It was sweet music to Matt’s ears, and he felt a surge of more than gratitude for Cassie Webb as he observed her hand come up to cover her mouth and her ponytail bob up and down.

  Thank you. He was grateful to God or fate, whoever or whatever had brought this Good Samaritan into their lives. Who knew, a few months earlier, that something as normal as a soccer scrimmage and watching his boys laugh while they ate ice cream would mean so much to him?

  He continued watching as they moved on from the spoon trick and became invested in their sundaes. Cassie propped her elbows on the table and appeared to be savoring each bite. Matt watched as her mouth closed over her spoon, then seemed to linger there. He imagined her pretty brown eyes closing in a moment of bliss.

  “Your order, sir.”

  Matt jerked his own eyes and thoughts around to the counter and to the woman holding the most delicious-looking crepe he’d ever seen in his life.

  “Thank you.” He took the plate in his hands but felt very much like he deserved it in his face with the direction his thoughts had been going. Sure, Cassie was an attractive woman, but she had a ring on her finger. Even if she hadn’t been married, it wasn’t like he was ready to even think about women in that regard yet.

  Matt crossed the room, took the empty chair beside Asher, and noticed that half of his face was already covered in chocolate. Noah didn’t seem to be doing much better. Austin was quiet as he ate, but he wasn’t scowling at anyone, and that was about as good as it had been at any mealtime that Matt could remember in recent months.

  “So, do you come here often?” Matt asked.

  “Every Saturday,” Noah said.

  Matt was seated directly across from Cassie and once again caught her obvious dismay at the release of this information.

  “It’s our date night once a week,” she explained. “My husband and I have our date night on Fridays, but Saturday night is reserved for Noah and me.”

  Points taken. She is married, and she liked her alone time with her son. If he brought the boys here, Matt would be sure it wasn’t on a Friday or a Saturday night, so he didn’t barge in again.

  “Today was sort of an extra ice cream date because Noah tried playing soccer again even after he’d been hurt.”

  Matt nodded. “I’m sorry if we cut in on your mother-son time.”

  “That’s okay,” Noah said, speaking around an extra-large bite.

  “It is,” Cassie hurried to assure him. “It’s fine. Noah doesn’t have many friends— there aren’t any other kids close to w
here we live— so this is good for him.”

  But not for me, she might have added. Her body language said as much. She wouldn’t look at Matt directly and sat almost stiffly in her seat, glancing around frequently, as if she were afraid someone she knew might see her here.

  Of course. Matt felt like a selfish jerk. She was worried about what her husband would think. He felt like smacking himself in the head. Jenna would never have gone out to ice cream with another guy, and if she was still alive, he certainly wouldn’t be sitting here with another woman and her child. Man, he was clueless sometimes.

  The boys chattered away about Lego sets while he and Cassie— Mrs. Webb— ate in silence.

  “I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable,” Matt finally said, hoping that acknowledging it would help. “Would you like us to go sit at another table?” He looked around for an empty one nearby.

  “No. Of course not.” She bit her lip, appearing chagrined that he’d noticed her discomfort. “It’s not you. It’s just that—”

  “You’re married, and this is weird?” He finished the last of the delicious crepe and leaned back in his chair.

  “Yes.” She let out a sigh that sounded both sad and tired.

  Matt wondered what her story was. It didn’t appear that her husband had been at the game last Saturday, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. People had to work on weekends sometimes.

  “We shouldn’t be here. With you. Not that we’re with you, but—”

  He held up a hand. “I understand.”

  She nodded and swallowed back whatever else she’d been about to say. Sticky fingers touched Matt’s arm and he looked over to see Asher’s chocolate-covered face alarmingly near his own.

  “Can we get some candy?” Asher stood on his chair and leaned close.

  “Not tonight,” Matt said. “Besides. You’ve still got half a sundae left on your face. When are you planning to eat that?”

  Austin snickered at this, and Noah giggled. Asher didn’t seem to mind either. “Please, can we see what they have at least?”